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Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing

April 28th, 2012

When you hear the words “Triple Crown”, if you are familiar with horse racing at all, you probably think of the Kentucky Derby, the most famous of the three races for three-year-old thoroughbred horses.

The other two races that make up the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing are the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. A thoroughbred that wins all three of these races is considered the greatest accomplishment of thoroughbred racing. The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978 until 2015 when American Pharoah riden by Victor Espinoza won the title.Churchill Downs in 1901

Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky is the site of the Kentucky Derby, also called the “Run for the Roses” after the blanket of red roses draped over the winner. Held each year the first Saturday in May, it is the first of the three races and has been labeled as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” or “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports” referring to its approximate duration. It is known for its big hats and mint juleps and Millionaires Row.

Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore Maryland is the site of the Preakness Stakes, the second race towards the Triple Crown, and is held the third Saturday each May. The race is termed “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans” after the state flower, however as Black-Eyed Susans do not bloom until June, none have actually ever been used in the blanket of flowers draped over the winner

Belmont Park in Elmont, New York is the site of the Belmont Stakes. First run in 1867, it is the oldest of the Triple Crown races predating the Preakness Stakes by six years and the Kentucky Derby by eight years. Known as “The Test of Champions”, it is the final race of the Triple Crown and is run five weeks after the Derby in early June.  The winner of this race is draped with a blanket of white carnations.

Triple Crown Winners and Jockeys:

1919: Sir Barton – Johnny Loftus
1930: Gallant Fox – Earl Sande
1935: Omaha – Willie Saunders
1937: War Admiral – Charley Kurtsinger
1941: Whirlaway – Eddie Arcaro
1943: Count Fleet – Johnny Longden
1946: Assult – Warren Mehrtens
1948: Citation – Eddie Arcaro
1973: Secetariat – Ron Turcotte
1977: Seattle Slew – Jean Cruquet
1978: Affirmed – Steve Cauthen
2015: American Pharoah – Victor Espinoza

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Traditions of the Preakness Stakes

April 28th, 2012

Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland is the site of the Preakness Stakes, the second race in the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, also called the Triple Crown, and is held the third Saturday each May.

Preakness Race at Pimlico Race Course

The race is termed “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans” after the state flower, however as Black-Eyed Susans do not bloom until June, none have actually ever been used in the blanket of flowers draped over the winner. Instead, Viking daisies, with the centers daubed with black lacquer, are used to create the flowers used to resemble Black-Eyed Susans.

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Cocktail of the Belmont Stakes: The Belmont Breeze

April 28th, 2012

The Belmont Breeze Recipe - Signature Cocktail of the Belmont Stakes | Announcingit.comIn 1998, the traditional drink of the Belmont Stakes, the third and final race in the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, was changed to the Belmont Breeze:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Rye Whiskey

1/2 oz Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz simple syrup

1 1/2 oz fresh orange juice

splash of orange juice

splash of cranberry juice

Lemon-lime soda

Soda water or club soda

5 mint leaves

1 mint sprig

1 strawberry

1 orange or lemon slice

 

Preparation:

  • Combine first seven ingredients in a shaker with ice.
  • Shake and strain into chilled glass.
  • Top off with lemon-lime soda and soda water
  • Garnish with fresh mint sprig and orange or lemon slice, mint spring and strawberry.

Makes 1 drink.

 

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Cocktail of the Preakness: The Black-Eyed Susan

April 28th, 2012

While the Black-Eyed Susan, the official drink of the Preakness Stakes, is not as renowned as the mint julep of the Kentucky Derby, it is refreshing, sweet and powerful.

Black-Eyed Susan Cocktails:

  • 1-1/4 oz Bourbon
  • 3/4 oz Vodka
  • 3 oz sweet & sour mix
  • 2 oz orange juice

Add the liquors to a highball glass with shaved ice, top off with the orange juice and sweet and sour mix. Garnish with orange slice, cherry & stirrer.

Makes 1 drink

 

Punch Bowl Black-Eyed Susan Punch:

  • 1 – 1/4 cup vodka
  • 4 cups orange juice
  • 1 – 1/4 cup light rum
  • 3/4 cup triple sec
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 4 cups pineapple juice
  • ice ring

Chill all ingredients. Just before serving combine in a punch bowl. Unmold ice ring and float in bowl. Serve in tall glasses.

Makes 10 large drinks

Preakness Stakes Horse Race Signature Cocktail - Black-Eyed Susan Recipe and Party Invitations | Announcingit.com

 

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The Preakness Cocktail

April 28th, 2012

The Preakness Cocktail

There are many variations of the Preakness Cocktail recipe, but one thing’s for sure, Preakness horse racing fans love it.

Preakness Cocktail:

  • 1-1/2 oz Blended Scotch Whiskey
  • 3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth
  • 1/2 tsp. Benedictine
  • Dash Bitters

Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.

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Honey, How Was Your Day?

April 27th, 2012

To all us working moms!

Working Mom

A man came home from work and found his 3 children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn around garden, The door of his wife’s car was open, as was the front door to the house and no sign of the dog, walking in the door, he found …an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, the throw rug was against one wall,  in the front room the TV was on loudly with the cartoon channel, the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. Read the rest of this entry »

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Talk Derby to Me: Kentucky Country Ham Salad

April 27th, 2012

If you’re looking for ideas for what to serve for your Kentucky Derby Party, this Kentucky Country Ham Salad is yummy and a nice addition to your menu. It’s also wonderful as a luncheon or summer salad for any occasion.

Kentucky Country Ham Salad Recipe | Announcingit.com

 

Kentucky Ham Salad

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup pecan pieces
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows
  • 1 cup diced unpeeled Granny Smith apples, tossed with lemon juice to prevent discoloration
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped shallots
  • 1 teaspoon Kentucky bourbon
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 head Kentucky bibb lettuce, separated into leaves, washed and spun dry
  • 1 bunch watercress, stems removed, washed and spun dry
  • 1 cup julienned baked Kentucky country-cured ham
  • 6 ounces Kentucky Port Salut cheese, cubed
  • Chopped chives, garnish

Directions:

  1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the pecans, and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted and fragrant, 3 minutes.
  3. Add the sugar and Essence (recipe below), and cook, stirring, until the sugar is melted, 30 seconds.
  4. Add the apples and cook until the sugar is caramelized and the apples are tender, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a baking sheet lined with waxed paper or aluminum foil, and separate with a fork.
  5. In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar, shallots, and bourbon.
  6. Add the oil, whisking, until smooth.
  7. Add the sour cream, salt, and pepper, and whisk until smooth.
  8. Adjust seasoning, to taste.

In a large bowl, place the whole lettuce leaves, watercress, ham, and cheese.

Add about 1/2 cup of dressing and toss to coat.

Divide among plates and top with the candied apples and pecans.

Drizzle with dressing and top with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

(4-6 servings)

 

Emeril’s ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Source: Emeril Lagasse

 

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Low Calorie Pina Colada Recipe

April 27th, 2012

I am so ready for summer and warm weather! As I live in Southern California, that might seem like a strange statement, but we have seasons too, just not as drastic as other parts of the country.

Birthday wishes will also join my wish for warm weather as my sister and I are both celebrating birthdays in the next few days. (Happy Birthday Sis!)

Low Calorie Pina Colada Recipe

Dinner and drinks, outside if possible, is something we always look forward to. My sister is a type one diabetic so we are always searching for low sugar/carb recipes that won’t cause her insulin to skyrocket.

A favorite of ours is a Pina Colada (it just tastes like summer) but the typical Pina Colada is not an option for her as it is loaded with sugar and can have anywhere from 500 to 750 calories and is an insulin nightmare.  As I always seem be to counting calories, we’ve discovered this low calorie version we can both enjoy with only 235 calories and 2 grams of carbs.

 Ingredients:

  • 1 jigger white rum (1.5 oz.; 3 tablespoons)
  • 5 tablespoons coconut milk* or coconut cream (do NOT use Cream of Coconut for this low calorie drink as it is coconut milk and sugar and high in calories)
  • 4 tablespoons sugar-free pineapple syrup, such as Da Vinci
  • 1 cup ice

Preparation:

Put ingredients in blender and blend until slushy.

You can also put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake, and strain out the ice for a non-frozen version.

Enjoy!

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Talk Derby to Me: Ginger Mint Julep

April 20th, 2012

Ginger Mint Julep Recipe

There are lots of mint julep recipes – original mint juleps, quick mint juleps and really quick mint juleps.

This Ginger Mint Julep falls into the really quick category.

  • In a classic mint julep cup or an old-fashioned glass, combine 1 teaspoon water and 1 teaspoon of sugar.
  • Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
  • Add several thin slices of fresh peeled ginger and several sprigs of mint.
  • Muddle with a muddler or wooden spoon.
  • Fill glass with crushed ice.
  • Add 2 ounces bourbon
  • Stir until the glass is frosty on the outside
  • Garnish with a sprig of mint.

You could also add ginger to the original mint julep recipe. Enjoy!

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Talk Derby to Me: Mint Julep Sorbet

April 19th, 2012

Mint Julep Sorbet

Mint Julep Sorbet is a fun addition to your Kentucky Derby party menu.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 cup club soda
  • Mint sprigs for garnish

Directions:

Combine sugar, water, and mint leaves in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.

Add the bourbon and club soda to the cooled syrup, stirring until combined.

Freeze mixture according to manufacturer’s directions in an ice cream freezer. Place sorbet in a freezer-safe container and allow mixture to freeze for 4 hours before serving. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

Source: Cooking Channel TV

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